Chairing a high-level meeting on PIA reforms back then, the prime minister had said the government wanted to make national flag carrier a profit-generating and independent airline.

PIA officials had informed PM Khan that PIA’s total losses amounted to Rs. 414.3bn. They relayed to the meeting that PIA is facing a deficit of 500 million rupees on seven international routes in addition to loss incurred on domestic routes.

Officials also told the meeting that 194 PIA staffers, including seven captains, 73 members of the cabin crew and other officials were sent home during an ongoing drive against employees appointed on bogus educational certificates.

On Jan 15, PIA CEO stated that some PIA routes incurring losses have been closed.

Addressing a press conference along with Minister for Aviation, Mohammad Mian Soomro in Islamabad, Air Marshal Malik had stated that a corruption mafia was active in the PIA and the airlines was bearing huge losses in its operations on a number of loss-making routes.

“PIA was making 300 to 500 million rupees losses at various routes so as, a number of loss-making routes have been curtailed to minimize the losses,” he added.